In an email this morning from Marge Schiller, my colleague and friend in the US, she mentioned that “eyeballs and alligators are in far too close proximity“.

My first thought was “What on earth …? ” :)

But the web is a wonderful place to wander, so I embarked on a wee journey of fun and discovery.

Apparently being “up to the eyeballs in alligators” is a uniquely American expression for when things seem particularly overwhelming or work is stressful.  And although we Aussies certainly have similar experiences, alligators don’t enter the equation. Perhaps because we have crocs not alligators, and those only in our northern regions. :)

I learned that we can be up to our ‘ass‘, ‘armpits‘ or ‘eyeballs‘ in alligators too. Obviously there are different levels of severity for an alligator quota. :)

And here’s a great saying:

When you’re up to your ass in alligators, it’s hard to remember you’re there to drain the swamp.

I’ll have to remember that one and use it sometime!

I also found myself smiling when I read a post by an artist, Jill Banks, who said she was ‘literally’ up to her eyeballs in alligators. The mind boggles!

And there’s even a book by Larry Wilde about being up to your eyeballs in alligators!

My exploration of eyeballs and alligators just goes to show that there are always new things to learn and discover in life.

And (as I said to Marge) next time you find yourself up to the eyeballs – or any other part of your anatomy – in alligators, may you find they are well-fed, sleepy and very friendly after all! :)